Marolo Grappa di Moscato Dopo 5 yr 375ml

Marolo is a family-run distillery founded in 1977 in Alba, in Italy's Piedmont region, by master distiller Paolo Marolo. Paolo built the estate's reputation on single varietal grappas made from fresh, carefully selected pomace, and this particular bottling, known as Dopo or Après, was reportedly inspired by the classic American steakhouses he visited, leading him to craft a wood-aged Moscato grappa meant to close out a rich meal.

This grappa begins as pomace from Moscato d'Asti, distilled to preserve the grape's naturally floral character, then aged for five years in barrels previously used for Moscato di Pantelleria, a sweet passito wine from the Sicilian island. That extended time in wood, some sources cite French oak casks, deepens the spirit's color to a bright golden hue and layers in richness well beyond what the unaged version offers, while still letting the Moscato grape's fruit and perfume come through clearly.

The nose is intense and complex, with ripe fruit, honey, and candied citrus giving way to vanilla and warm spice from the barrel. On the palate it turns smooth, elegant, and velvety, with notes of apricot, fig, and dried fruit lingering into a long, honeyed finish. It makes a fitting after-dinner pour, sipped slowly and neat.